Pak forces given 'licence to kill' to protect NATO supplies

Published: Monday, November 17, 2008, 13:17 [IST]

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Peshawar, Nov 17 : Pakistan government is learnt to have given a shoot-to-kill order for those trying to disrupt the NATO supplies to Afghanistan. The order comes in the wake of recent incidents whereby insurgents hijacked as many 15 trucks loaded with supplies for NATO and American forces in Afghanistan, though they were later recovered.

The vehicles will henceforth be escorted by security officials to help them pass through Khyber Agency in a convoy, the Daily Times quoted a senior Pakistan government official as saying.

The Peshawar-Torkham road, one of the routes linking Pakistan and Afghanistan, is expected to be reopened today for moving NATO supplies to Western forces in Afghanistan, said sources in Pakistan government.

According to the paper, hundreds of trailers and containers had been stranded on the route, which was closed last week after Taliban hijacked more than a dozen trucks carrying NATO supplies on the road through the Khyber Pass.

Political Agent Tariq Hayat said a "Quick Response Force" had been formed to guard the Afghanistan-bound containers.

Although NATO supplies were formally suspended on Saturday, drivers said they had been denied entry into Khyber Agency since November 11. "We have been made to wait here for the last six days under no security cover," said a driver on condition of anonymity.

Sources said the Peshawar-Jamrud road was also closed for the vehicles carrying NATO supplies on the recommendations of the NWFP government.

According to NWFP police chief Malik Naveed Khan, there were three criminal gangs in Khyber with direct links to terrorist groups.